Topic: Nature
Sunrise at Boundary Pass
Written on September 5, 2020 at 4:50 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
Thanks to John Miller for capturing this sunrise image… click to enlarge photo…
Old Military Road Trail: An Illustrated Guide
Written on September 4, 2020 at 12:21 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
Robin Donnelly for the Old Military Road Trail Committee… What a great time to be exploring our trails. Covid seems to have made us all more aware of the healing power of nature and our fortunate ability to be part of it. As summer is waning, fall colors are taking over for the vibrancy of Continue Reading
Applications Being Accepted for Grants to Conserve Forests
Written on August 31, 2020 at 1:11 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
OLYMPIA–On Sept.1, eligible organizations may begin applying for grants to conserve community forests, the Recreation and Conservation Office announced today. The new state Community Forests Program will offer grants of up to $3 million. But organizations need to hurry. Applications are due Oct. 1. The grants must be used to buy at least 5 acres Continue Reading
Islanders For The San Juan Islands National Monument Meet Via Zoom August 27
Written on August 25, 2020 at 7:00 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
Join the MAC Meeting on August 27, 9:00am -5:00pm, Pacific Time (see Zoom link below)… Click on photo to enlarge… The MAC (Monument Advisory Committee) will be hearing from subject matter experts and the public to inform their deliberations as they discuss and present their input to the BLM. The full meeting agenda (PDF) can Continue Reading
Rainbow Reflection in Friday Harbor
Written on August 22, 2020 at 2:35 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
Many thanks to Liz Smith for this magical photo of Friday Harbor…
The Wild Charley River (part I)
Written on August 20, 2020 at 2:14 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
FREEZER BURNED: Tales of Interior Alaska is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Steve Ulvi… The plane lifted off the state runway in Eagle on dense morning air on another bluebird July day. The drowsy sprawl of town and sweep of the Yukon River receded under the right wing as we climbed Continue Reading
End of Summer Porch Light Bug Count Seeks Citizen Participants
Written on August 19, 2020 at 5:21 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
Bug Count hosted by Bugs of the San Juans… Activity for Islanders! End of Summer Porch Light Bug Count! August 20 at 12 PM – August 31 at 3 PM So, I’ve been checking out what insects show up at our porch light around 10:00 pm and took a short video clip last night after Continue Reading
Friday Harbor Film Festival Virtual Cinema Presents Public Trust August 19-23
Written on August 15, 2020 at 5:05 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
Friday Harbor Film Festival’s Summer 2020 Virtual Cinema will present a FREE virtual on-demand screening of Public Trust, produced by Patagonia Films, on August 19 through 23, followed by a hosted audience discussion on August 23 at 6 pm PDT. To view the film anytime on the specified dates and participate in the webinar, RSVP Continue Reading
Zylstra Lake Preserve – Open for Public Comment
Written on August 11, 2020 at 2:45 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
San Juan County Land Bank is seeking public input on its updated Interim Stewardship and Management Plan (SMP) for the Zylstra Lake Preserve on San Juan Island. This updated interim plan details the Preserve’s abundant wildlife and habitat areas; provides a collaborative strategy for engaging with agricultural interests; and proposes opening approximately two miles of trail this Continue Reading
Record $5.2 Million Gift Expands Turtleback Preserve
Written on July 31, 2020 at 1:03 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
Great news from San Juan Preservation Trust! Record gift expends Turtleback Preserve plus the precedent-setting donation also returns land to the Lummi Nation. The San Juan County Land Bank and San Juan Preservation Trust today announced the acquisition and permanent conservation of a 36-acre addition to the Turtleback Mountain Preserve on Orcas Island. Concurrently, an Continue Reading
State Launches New Grant Program to Conserve Community Forests
Written on July 30, 2020 at 5:30 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
OLYMPIA–Communities wanting to conserve forestlands now have a state grant program to help, the Recreation and Conservation Office announced today. Beginning September 1, communities can apply for grants of up to $3 million in the newly created Community Forests Program. The grants must be used to buy at least 5 acres of forestland and the Continue Reading
Feeling Crabby?
Written on July 28, 2020 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
Giant crab joins giant bear at San Juan Islands Sculpture Park Thanks to a loan by Cattle Point Rock & Topsoil, “Rusty” the giant crab, now has a temporary home near the bay at the Sculpture Park. “Rusty” is the work of artist Zackarya Leck, on Orcas Island. Come see them both along with 150 Continue Reading
Public Asked to Check Trees for Invasive Species in August
Written on July 27, 2020 at 7:50 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
Olympia—Throughout August, the Washington Invasive Species Council and the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are asking the public to take 10 minutes to check trees in their communities for invasive insects. August is the peak time of year that wood-boring insects are most often spotted outside of trees. “State and federal agencies do a Continue Reading
New Artworks Appear On The Forest Path At Roche Harbor Sculpture Park
Written on July 27, 2020 at 6:15 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
If you visit the Sculpture Park at Roche Harbor on a warm summer day you may feel drawn toward the shade of the forest path. Should you venture into the wooded path you may find some surprises. Island artists Anita Barreca and Francie Hansen joined by others including Beth Spadafora and Jason Munkres have adorned Continue Reading
In the Mailbag
Written on July 20, 2020 at 3:53 pm, by Tim Dustrude
In the San Juan Update mailbag this afternoon we have this letter from Tanja at the Land Bank… Hello San Juan Update! I’ve been posting our weekly “nature notes” on our facebook and Instagram accounts since April, and today’s posting features a pilot project to help the Island Marble butterfly thrive. I think it’s a Continue Reading
FHFF Virtual Cinema Presents The Story of Plastic July 16-19
Written on July 13, 2020 at 6:02 am, by Tim Dustrude
Friday Harbor Film Festival’s Summer 2020 Virtual Cinema will present a FREE virtual on-demand screening of The Story of Plastic anytime on July 16, 17, 18, and 19, followed by a hosted Q&A on July 19 at 6 pm PDT. To view the film and participate in the virtual Q&A, RSVP at www.fhff.org. Once you Continue Reading
Volunteer Opportunity
Written on July 10, 2020 at 8:40 am, by Tim Dustrude
COVID 19 is creating many unique challenges for literally everyone and the Land Bank is no exception. The Land Bank typically uses a variety of strategies to achieve stewardship activities including volunteer work parties, collaborating with partners, engaging special interest groups, and leveraging help from youth conservation corps type organizations. At this time we are Continue Reading
Wildflowers in Bloom at the Gravel Pit
Written on July 6, 2020 at 12:10 pm, by Tim Dustrude
By Louise Dustrude A number of people have been asking one another what those bright yellow flowers are that have appeared recently at Island Rec’s LaFarge Open Space, aka the gravel pit. So we checked with Eliza Habegger, the land steward at the Land Bank, whose responsibilities also include ecological assessment, monitoring, and restoration on Continue Reading
Paying It Forward
Written on July 2, 2020 at 9:28 am, by Tim Dustrude
This FHL Tide Bite was written by Jen Burnaford… My first trip to UW Friday Harbor Labs was in 1995. After completing my undergraduate thesis on freshwater zooplankton and spending a post-bac year chasing primates through the jungles of Borneo, I had been accepted into the PhD program at Oregon State University in the Menge/Lubchenco Continue Reading
Discover San Juan Islands 2020
Written on June 10, 2020 at 6:25 am, by Tim Dustrude
Your Conservation Land Bank turns 30 this year and is celebrating with a multi-island exploration. Every preserve has a story – gather your family and get outside this summer to discover what your public lands have to say! The San Juan County Land Bank teamed up with the Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Island libraries Continue Reading
A Photographic Journey: Iconic Birds of the World – Zoom Presentation with Peter Cavanagh
Written on June 9, 2020 at 11:56 am, by Tim Dustrude
We are living in a time of unprecedented trial. In an effort to bring you a much-needed reconnection to the natural world, Friends of the San Juans would like to invite you to attend an upcoming Zoom presentation with Peter Cavanagh. Are you experiencing travel withdrawal after months of lockdown and cancelled travel plans? Peter Continue Reading
Letters
Written on June 7, 2020 at 4:56 pm, by Tim Dustrude
Fact Check of Whalen Petition Dear Editor and Community, We recently received in the mail Mr. Ron Whalen’s request to have us sign a petition to eliminate the Land Bank by December 2020. The request was loaded with falsehoods and outrageously attempted to dupe our community into thinking that a yes or no answer meant Continue Reading
Sunrise at Boundary Pass
Written on September 5, 2020 at 4:50 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
Thanks to John Miller for capturing this sunrise image… click to enlarge photo…
Old Military Road Trail: An Illustrated Guide
Written on September 4, 2020 at 12:21 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
Robin Donnelly for the Old Military Road Trail Committee… What a great time to be exploring our trails. Covid seems to have made us all more aware of the healing power of nature and our fortunate ability to be part of it. As summer is waning, fall colors are taking over for the vibrancy of Continue Reading
Applications Being Accepted for Grants to Conserve Forests
Written on August 31, 2020 at 1:11 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
OLYMPIA–On Sept.1, eligible organizations may begin applying for grants to conserve community forests, the Recreation and Conservation Office announced today. The new state Community Forests Program will offer grants of up to $3 million. But organizations need to hurry. Applications are due Oct. 1. The grants must be used to buy at least 5 acres Continue Reading
Islanders For The San Juan Islands National Monument Meet Via Zoom August 27
Written on August 25, 2020 at 7:00 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
Join the MAC Meeting on August 27, 9:00am -5:00pm, Pacific Time (see Zoom link below)… Click on photo to enlarge… The MAC (Monument Advisory Committee) will be hearing from subject matter experts and the public to inform their deliberations as they discuss and present their input to the BLM. The full meeting agenda (PDF) can Continue Reading
Rainbow Reflection in Friday Harbor
Written on August 22, 2020 at 2:35 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
Many thanks to Liz Smith for this magical photo of Friday Harbor…
The Wild Charley River (part I)
Written on August 20, 2020 at 2:14 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
FREEZER BURNED: Tales of Interior Alaska is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Steve Ulvi… The plane lifted off the state runway in Eagle on dense morning air on another bluebird July day. The drowsy sprawl of town and sweep of the Yukon River receded under the right wing as we climbed Continue Reading
End of Summer Porch Light Bug Count Seeks Citizen Participants
Written on August 19, 2020 at 5:21 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
Bug Count hosted by Bugs of the San Juans… Activity for Islanders! End of Summer Porch Light Bug Count! August 20 at 12 PM – August 31 at 3 PM So, I’ve been checking out what insects show up at our porch light around 10:00 pm and took a short video clip last night after Continue Reading
Friday Harbor Film Festival Virtual Cinema Presents Public Trust August 19-23
Written on August 15, 2020 at 5:05 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
Friday Harbor Film Festival’s Summer 2020 Virtual Cinema will present a FREE virtual on-demand screening of Public Trust, produced by Patagonia Films, on August 19 through 23, followed by a hosted audience discussion on August 23 at 6 pm PDT. To view the film anytime on the specified dates and participate in the webinar, RSVP Continue Reading
Zylstra Lake Preserve – Open for Public Comment
Written on August 11, 2020 at 2:45 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
San Juan County Land Bank is seeking public input on its updated Interim Stewardship and Management Plan (SMP) for the Zylstra Lake Preserve on San Juan Island. This updated interim plan details the Preserve’s abundant wildlife and habitat areas; provides a collaborative strategy for engaging with agricultural interests; and proposes opening approximately two miles of trail this Continue Reading
Record $5.2 Million Gift Expands Turtleback Preserve
Written on July 31, 2020 at 1:03 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
Great news from San Juan Preservation Trust! Record gift expends Turtleback Preserve plus the precedent-setting donation also returns land to the Lummi Nation. The San Juan County Land Bank and San Juan Preservation Trust today announced the acquisition and permanent conservation of a 36-acre addition to the Turtleback Mountain Preserve on Orcas Island. Concurrently, an Continue Reading
State Launches New Grant Program to Conserve Community Forests
Written on July 30, 2020 at 5:30 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
OLYMPIA–Communities wanting to conserve forestlands now have a state grant program to help, the Recreation and Conservation Office announced today. Beginning September 1, communities can apply for grants of up to $3 million in the newly created Community Forests Program. The grants must be used to buy at least 5 acres of forestland and the Continue Reading
Feeling Crabby?
Written on July 28, 2020 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
Giant crab joins giant bear at San Juan Islands Sculpture Park Thanks to a loan by Cattle Point Rock & Topsoil, “Rusty” the giant crab, now has a temporary home near the bay at the Sculpture Park. “Rusty” is the work of artist Zackarya Leck, on Orcas Island. Come see them both along with 150 Continue Reading
Public Asked to Check Trees for Invasive Species in August
Written on July 27, 2020 at 7:50 pm, by Peggy Sue McRae
Olympia—Throughout August, the Washington Invasive Species Council and the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are asking the public to take 10 minutes to check trees in their communities for invasive insects. August is the peak time of year that wood-boring insects are most often spotted outside of trees. “State and federal agencies do a Continue Reading
New Artworks Appear On The Forest Path At Roche Harbor Sculpture Park
Written on July 27, 2020 at 6:15 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
If you visit the Sculpture Park at Roche Harbor on a warm summer day you may feel drawn toward the shade of the forest path. Should you venture into the wooded path you may find some surprises. Island artists Anita Barreca and Francie Hansen joined by others including Beth Spadafora and Jason Munkres have adorned Continue Reading
In the Mailbag
Written on July 20, 2020 at 3:53 pm, by Tim Dustrude
In the San Juan Update mailbag this afternoon we have this letter from Tanja at the Land Bank… Hello San Juan Update! I’ve been posting our weekly “nature notes” on our facebook and Instagram accounts since April, and today’s posting features a pilot project to help the Island Marble butterfly thrive. I think it’s a Continue Reading
FHFF Virtual Cinema Presents The Story of Plastic July 16-19
Written on July 13, 2020 at 6:02 am, by Tim Dustrude
Friday Harbor Film Festival’s Summer 2020 Virtual Cinema will present a FREE virtual on-demand screening of The Story of Plastic anytime on July 16, 17, 18, and 19, followed by a hosted Q&A on July 19 at 6 pm PDT. To view the film and participate in the virtual Q&A, RSVP at www.fhff.org. Once you Continue Reading
Volunteer Opportunity
Written on July 10, 2020 at 8:40 am, by Tim Dustrude
COVID 19 is creating many unique challenges for literally everyone and the Land Bank is no exception. The Land Bank typically uses a variety of strategies to achieve stewardship activities including volunteer work parties, collaborating with partners, engaging special interest groups, and leveraging help from youth conservation corps type organizations. At this time we are Continue Reading
Wildflowers in Bloom at the Gravel Pit
Written on July 6, 2020 at 12:10 pm, by Tim Dustrude
By Louise Dustrude A number of people have been asking one another what those bright yellow flowers are that have appeared recently at Island Rec’s LaFarge Open Space, aka the gravel pit. So we checked with Eliza Habegger, the land steward at the Land Bank, whose responsibilities also include ecological assessment, monitoring, and restoration on Continue Reading
Paying It Forward
Written on July 2, 2020 at 9:28 am, by Tim Dustrude
This FHL Tide Bite was written by Jen Burnaford… My first trip to UW Friday Harbor Labs was in 1995. After completing my undergraduate thesis on freshwater zooplankton and spending a post-bac year chasing primates through the jungles of Borneo, I had been accepted into the PhD program at Oregon State University in the Menge/Lubchenco Continue Reading
Discover San Juan Islands 2020
Written on June 10, 2020 at 6:25 am, by Tim Dustrude
Your Conservation Land Bank turns 30 this year and is celebrating with a multi-island exploration. Every preserve has a story – gather your family and get outside this summer to discover what your public lands have to say! The San Juan County Land Bank teamed up with the Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Island libraries Continue Reading
A Photographic Journey: Iconic Birds of the World – Zoom Presentation with Peter Cavanagh
Written on June 9, 2020 at 11:56 am, by Tim Dustrude
We are living in a time of unprecedented trial. In an effort to bring you a much-needed reconnection to the natural world, Friends of the San Juans would like to invite you to attend an upcoming Zoom presentation with Peter Cavanagh. Are you experiencing travel withdrawal after months of lockdown and cancelled travel plans? Peter Continue Reading
Letters
Written on June 7, 2020 at 4:56 pm, by Tim Dustrude
Fact Check of Whalen Petition Dear Editor and Community, We recently received in the mail Mr. Ron Whalen’s request to have us sign a petition to eliminate the Land Bank by December 2020. The request was loaded with falsehoods and outrageously attempted to dupe our community into thinking that a yes or no answer meant Continue Reading